Apparatus for securing eye mechanisms in doll heads



Nov. 24, 1953 P. REKETTYE APPARATUS FOR SECURING EYE MECHANISMS IN DOLL HEADS Filed June 5, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 'PAUL REKZ'Z/TZYE BY I .v 8%? A ATTORNEYS P. REKETTYE 2,659,887

APPARATUS FOR SECURING EYE MECHANISMS IN DOLL HEADS s Sheets-Sheet 2 f /'I/ I JNVENTOR. PAUL RE'KETTYE' BY 9% f A T TORNE Y8 Nov. 24, 1953 Filed June 5, 1950 d wt w mg N Nov. 24, 1953 P, REKETTYE 2,659,887

APPARATUS FOR SECURING EYE MECHANISMS IN DOLL HEADS Filed June 5, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet I5 loll.

p\ INVENTOR; PAU RE K E TTYE A TTORNE Y8 Patented Nov. 24, 1953 APPARATUS FOR SECURING EYE MECH- ANISMS IN DOLL HEADS Paul Rekettye, Akron, Ohio, assignor to The Sun Rubber Company, Barberton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application June 5, 1950, Serial No. 166,194

7 Claims.

1 This invention relates to an improved apparatus for inserting sleeping eye mechanisms in the heads of dolls. The construction and operation of eye mechanisms which are located in the heads of dolls are well known, the standard form of such a device consisting of a plate which is provided with parallel flanges, the edges of which are turned inwardly and provided with teeth adapted to be pinched together to embed in a ridge or projection on the inside of the doll head. In another part of the plate is a transverse rotating shaft which carries the two eyes, the shaft being counterweighted. As the doll is moved from upright to inclined position, the counterweight will cause the eyes to rotate in the sockets in the head, simulating sleeping, returning to open position as the doll is brought to erect position. These sleeping eye mechanisms are usually incorporated in so-called hard head dolls, which are provided with a rib on the inside of the forehead into which the teeth on the flanges are pressed so that the rotating eyes are located and held in the eye sockets in the head.

Apparatus heretofore provided for securing the eye mechanisms in the heads of dolls have been very unsatisfactory for the reason that they do not firmly anchor the eye mechanism in the head of the doll. Prior apparatus'for the purpose get out of order easily and require extensive maintenance and repairs. They have been diflicult to operate and have other objectionable features.

It is the purpose of the invention to provide a new and novel eye setting apparatus that is easily operated and will set the eye mechanism securely in place in the head of the doll. The apparatus issimple in construction and does not easily get into disrepair. The mechanism for setting the eyes may be operated more easily than prior devices. The pressure on the two flanges of the eye mechanism is equally divided so that the two sets of teeth are firmly embedded in the head.

In the drawings and specification the best known and preferred form of the novel eye setting apparatus is disclosed, but it will be understood that the invention is not limited to detailed following of this disclosure. Changes, modifications, and improvements within the scope of the invention may be employed without departing from the invention as it is set out in the claims appended hereto.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of the improved apparatus looking at the end of the rest or anvil on which the setting operation is performed.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken through the operative gearing for rotating the jaws of the setting mechanism, the location of the section being indicated by the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the apparatus, the location of the view being indicated by the line 33 of Fig. 1. In this view the location of the head and the eye mechanism is shown in dotted lines.

Fig. 4 is a section through the gearing at the back of the apparatus on the line 44 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is another section through the gearing on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3.

Fig. '7 is a detailed section of the front of the anvil, the location of the section being indicated by the line l---'! of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 3, showing a fragment of the doll head, the jaws being opened and the clasp in its unattached condition; Fig. '9 is a similar view, the jaws being closed and the clasp embedded in the rib on the inside of the doll head.

Fig. 10 is a View showing the complete machine.

Fig. 11 is a side elevation of the sleeping eye mechanism detached from the head, and Fig. 12 is a section on the line lZ-l2 of Fig. 11.

In order to understand the operation of the apparatus the doll eye mechanism should be described, a standard form thereof being shown in Figs. 11 and 12. The eye mechanism consists of a generally channel-shaped plate I, the edges of which are formed as parallel flanges 2. At one end the flanges are provided with upwardly extending ears 4 which are notched as at 3 to receive the central portion of a horizontal shaft 5. On the ends of shaft 5 are mounted the two eyes 1 which are provided with glass inserts to represent the pupils, with painted portions above the pupils to imitate the eyelids and with lashes. Attached to the central portion of the shaft 5 is an arm 9 which extends downwardly and outwardly to one side of the plate I, where it carries a counterweight H] which rotates the shaft 5 and the eyes when the position of the doll is changed. The end of the arm 9 near the shaft strikes the end of the plate I to arrest the closing movement of the eyes. A light, flat spring i2, attached at one end to the plate and with its free end pressing against the underside of the shaft 5, keeps the shaft at the outer ends of the notches 3 and prevents any unsightly gap between the eye balls and the eye sockets in the head.

At the end of the plate remote from the shaft are two spaced upstanding lugs I 4, the outer edges of which are turned inwardly and toothed as shown at l5. As the eye mechanism is supplied to the operator, the lugs H! are spread apart as shown in full lines in Figs. 8 and 12. In setting the eye mechanism, these lugs are brought together to the position shown in Fig. 9 and in dotted lines in Fig. 12, which causes the teeth in bury into the rib on the inside of the doll head. This clasp must be set properly or the eye mechanism may become detached from its anchorage in the head.

A doll head is shown at i8 in Fig. 3. As indicated above, the head of a sleeping eye .doll is hard, being usually made of a hard rubber or some other hard plastic material molded with the two eye sockets I 9 rounded on their inner faces so that the eye balls will rotate therein. On the inside of the forehead between the eye sockets, the head is provided with an integral rib 2|, against which the clasp formed by the two lugs is pinched, driving the teeth into the material of the rib.

It will be seen that in an eye-setting mechanism it is necessary that the jaws for closing the clasp onto its anchorage on the rib ,2! operate so that each side of the clasp is firmly pressed into the sides of the ribs. One of the objections to the prior devices is that they did not positively insure that both sides of the clasp would be forced into the supporting rib.

One of the main objectives of this invention is to provide an apparatus which will insure that both sides of the clasp are firmly embedded in the supporting rib.

The apparatus is supported upon a bed plate 25, to the top of which is attached a housing 26 for supporting the eye setting mechanism. The bed plate is attached to the top of a bench or table 21. On the rear of the housing is mounted a stub shaft 28 on which is rotated the main operating gear 29 which is held in position thereon by a bolt and washer 30. vAt its outer end the shaft is keyed to an operating lever 32,, the outer end of which is connected by a link 33 to the treadle 34 pivoted on the table at .35. A coil spring 36 holds the treadle in raised position, which keeps the lever 32 raised when idle position with the clamping jaws open. as will be described. Downward movement of the lever 32 is arrested by the adjustable stop 31 set in the bed plate.

' The main operating ear is formed with two spaced, toothed gear sections which are indicated by the numerals 38 and 39. The outer gear section 38 meshes with an elongated intermediate or idle gear 40 which is rotatable upon a second stub shaft 32 set in the housing 2.6. The toothed portion of gear 40 extends to a point just short of the outer face of the gear section 39. It is held on the shaft 42 by .a bolt and washer 43.

Rotatable in the upper part of housing 26 is a sleeve 48 and in that sleeve is a shaft 50, the said sleeve and shaft being designed to carry at their outer ends the jaws which close the clasp onto the rib on the doll head. In operation, the members 48 and 50 rotate in opposite directions. being driven by the gearing which has been described. For this purpose the sleeve 48, which projects for a short distance to the rear of the housing, as shown in Fig. 5, is keyed to a gear 52 which meshes directly with the gear section 3-9. The inner shaft 58 projects beyond the sleeve 48 and at that point is keyed to a gear 54, which meshes with the lon ear 40, being located in 4 alignment with the space between the gear sections 38 and 39.

It will be seen that when the lever arm 32 is moved downwardly, the outer sleeve 48 will be moved in an anti-clockwise direction, as shown by the arrow in Fig. 4, while, at the same time, the inner shaft 50 will be moved in a clockwise direction as shown by the arrow in Fig. 6. The gears 52 and 54 are located in face to face contact and are the same size and driven by their respective gearing at the same speed, so that the two axially aligned operating members, i. e., the.

sleeve 48 and the shaft 50, will move in opposite directions and the motion of both members will be positive and equal. It is this joint movement which insures that the clasp formed by the lugs I4 is securely embedded in the rib 2|.

The two coaxial members 48 and 50 extend outwardly from the front face of the housing 26 for a substantial distance, sufiicient to provide ample space so that the head of the doll may .be inserted over the shafts as shown in Fig. 3. the sleeve 48 being provided with a flange 55 bearing against the outer face of the housing .25.

At its extreme outer end the sleeve 48 is cut away over an area substantially more than .onehalf of the total circumference of the sleeve and, toward the upper side of the sleeve, is enlarged as shown in Figs. 8 and 9 to provide a jaw 56, the inner or working face of which .is non-radial to the axis of the sleeve.

At this point the inner shaft 50 is enlarged. as shown in Figs. 8 and 9 to provide a mating jaw 58 which is opposed to the jaw .56. When the lever arm 32 is raised, the jaws are open, as shown in Fig. 8, and the two radial surfaces 59.and .6.11 located opposite to the jaws 56 and 5B are in contact. When the lever arm 32 is lowered the two coaxial members rotating in opposite directions cause the jaws 56 and 58 to approach so that when the jaws complete their movement they are parallel and have pressed the clasp against the rib 2!. To insure that the teeth will be forced into the rib, the outer edge of each jaw may be provided with an inturned, hook-like rib indicated at 62 on each jaw.

Immediately to the rear of the area where the jaws 55 and 58 move, the upper surface of the sleeve 48 is provided with a wide slot .65 to receive the plate ,I, which rests upon the exposed surface of the inner shaft 50 when the eye mechanism is in position in the device. It will also be noted that at some distance behind the slot 65 the outer surface of the sleeve 48 is cut away at one side, as indicated at 6!, to avoid interference with the weight It) when the eye mechanism is in position.

Fastened to the top of housing 26 by a set screw 66 is an arm which is parallel to the sleeve 48 and shaft 50. This arm constitutes a stationary support for the eye mechanism adapted to be inserted in the head of the doll. It is in the form of a rounded hood 58 from which extends .a long, curved shield 69 which fits around the top of the sleeve 48 and extends forwardly to a point where the slot 65 begins. From the end of the shield extend two spaced parallel ears 70, the upper sides of which are provided with notches H in which the shaft 5 is seated.

The operation of the mechanism will now be described. With the jaws open, as shown in Fig.- 8, the eye mechanism is set in the machine, the plate I being received in the slot 65 and the shaft 5 in the notches H, the weight l0 being located in the cutaway portion 6!. In this position, the eyes are turned upwardly and the jaws of the clasp are open, lying between the'open jaws 56 and 58. The operator now places the head over the projecting end of the shaft 48-50, with the eyes in the sockets l9 and this will place the rib 2| between the jaws of the clasp. The operator then depresses the treadle 34 and the movement of the sleeve 58 and the inner shaft 50 closes the jaws and the clasp is driven home into the rib 2 i. As noted above, this operation is positive, both jaws moving together at the same speed and to the same extent, firmly embedding each arm of the clasp into the material of the rib 21.

It will be seen that a simple but very effective mechanism has been provided for the purpose of driving the clasp of the eye mechanism into the head of the doll. The mechanism is positive in its action and cannot readily get out of working condition. The operation is easily performed and requires no skilled labor as all that is required is to set the eye mechanism in position, locate the head in its position, and step on the treadle.

While the specific form of intermeshing gearing shown herein, which rotates the coaxial sleeve and shaft simultaneously in opposite directions and to the same extent, is preferred, it is apparent that other specific forms of driving mechanism may be employed as a substitute therefor.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for attaching an eye mechanism to a rib formed on the interior of a doll head, said K eye mechanism comprising a plate having at one end a deformable clasp to be embedded in opposite sides of the rib and at the other end a shaft to which the eyes are fastened, said apparatus comprising a housing, a rotating sleeve, and a rotatable shaft coaxial therewith, said shaft and sleeve projecting from the housing and adapted to be inserted in the head of the doll, jaws having opposed radial faces attached to the ends of the sleeve and shaft respectively, an arm on the apparatus adapted to be inserted in the head of the doll, a rest on the end of the arm for the eye mechanism, and means for causing the shaft and sleeve to rotate in opposite directions and to equal extents to bring the jaws together simultaneously against the clasp of the eye mechanism and embed. it in the rib.

2. Apparatus for attaching an eye mechanism to a rib formed on the interior of a doll head, said eye mechanism comprising a plate having at one end a deformable clasp to be embedded in opposite sides of the rib and at the other end a shaft to which the eyes are fastened, said apparatus comprising a housing, a rotating sleeve and a rotatable shaft coaxial therewith, said shaft and sleeve projecting from the housing and adapted to be inserted in the head of the doll, jaws having opposed radial faces attached to the ends of the sleeve and shaft respectively, an arm on the apparatus adapted to be inserted in the head of the doll, two slots at the end of the arm to receive the shaft of the eye mechanism, and means for causing the shaft and sleeve to rotate in opposite directions and to equal extents to bring the jaws together simultaneously against the clasp of the eye mechanism and embed it in the rib.

3. Apparatus for attaching an eye mechanism to a rib formed on the interior of a doll head, said eye mechanism comprising a plate having at one end a deformable clasp to be embedded in opposite sides of the rib and at the other end a shaft to which the eyes are fastened, said apparatus comprising a housing, a rotating sleeve and a rotatable shaft coaxial therewith, said shaft and sleeve projecting from the housing and adapted 6. to be inserted in the head of the doll, jaws having opposed radial faces attached to the ends of the sleeve and shaft respectively, an arm on the apparatus adapted to be inserted in the head of the doll, a fixed rest at the end of the arm located at one side of the jaws, said rest adapted to receive and hold the eye mechanism during the operation of the jaws, and means for causing the shaft and sleeve to rotate in opposite directions and to equal extents to bring the jaws together simultaneously against the clasp of the eye mechanism and embed it in the rib.

4. Apparatus for attaching an eye mechanism onto a rib formed on the interior of a doll head, said mechanism comprising a plate having outwardly projecting lugs to form a deformable clasp to be embedded in opposite sides of the rib, and a shaft to which the eyes are secured, said apparatus comprising a rotatable shaft and a r0- tatable sleeve surrounding the shaft, said shaft and sleeve being adapted to be inserted in the head of the doll, an outwardly extending jaw on the end of the shaft, a second outwardly extending jaw on the end of the sleeve, said jaws being in alignment transversely of the shaft, and means to rotate the shaft and the sleeve in opposite directions and to the same extent simultaneously to bring the jaws together against the rib and to drive the lugs into the rib.

'5. Apparatus for attaching an eye mechanism onto a rib formed on the interior of a doll head, said mechanism comprising a plate having outwardly projecting lugs to form a deformable clasp to be embedded in opposite sides of the rib, and a shaft to which the eyes are secured, said apparatus comprising a rotatable shaft and a rotatable sleeve surrounding the shaft, said shaft and sleeve being adapted to be inserted in the head of the doll, an outwardly extending jaw on the end of the shaft, a second outwardly extending jaw on the end of the sleeve, said sleeve being recessed adjacent the jaws to receive the plate, said jaws being in alignment transversely of the shaft, and means to rotate the shaft and the sleeve in opposite directions and to the same extent simultaneously to bring the jaws together against the rib and to drive the lugs into the rib.

'6. Apparatus for fastening an eye mechanism onto a rib formed on the interior of a doll head between the eye sockets, said mechanism comprising a plate having outwardly projecting lugs to form a clasp to be embedded in opposite sides of the rib, and a shaft to which the eyes are secured, said apparatus comprising a rotatable shaft and a rotatable sleeve surrounding the shaft, said shaft and sleeve being adapted to be inserted in the head of the doll, an outwardly extending jaw on the end of the shaft, a second outwardly extending jaw on the end of the sleeve, said jaws being in alignment transversely of the shaft, an arm extending along the sleeve, 9, rest on the end of the arm located adjacent the jaws and adapted to receive the shaft of the eye mechanism, and means to rotate the shaft and the sleeve in opposite directions simultaneously to bring the jaws together against the rib and to drive the lugs into the rib.

'7. Apparatus for fastening an eye mechanism onto a rib formed on the interior of a doll head between the eye sockets, said mechanism comprising a plate having outwardly projecting lugs to form a clasp to be embedded in opposite sides of the rib, and a shaft to which the eyes are secured, said apparatus comprising a rotatable shaft and a rotatable sleeve surrounding the aeamssm outwardlyzextendingjawmi theendnf the sleeve, Sai'd 'aWS being inalignment? tra n-sverselyiof the shaft, an Iarm extendingalong :the sleeve, "said sleev'exbeingrecessedf adj a'centthe jaws toreceive the:.p1ate; a Test: on" the end of the rarmalocated adjacent the jaws and wadapted 'to receive-the shaft ofttheey'e, meehanism -and means to rotate the-shaft andx the sleeve! in opposite directions simultaneously to bring the jaws 'together against the-mib andto drwe =the lugs into the-rib.

PA'UL' REKET'I'YE.

ReferencesiCite'dzirr the; file? of this2patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1 Number Number Name. Date; Marcus Dec. 24,1929 Rommer May 27-, 1930 Knoffi'; Mar.- 15, 1932 Mizrach' ..7 June 4, 1846 Schaafi 'et a1.= May 18,-1848 Bachleda July 5,1949 Huntington Aug; 8, 1950" FOREIGN PATENTS 4.

Country Date Great Britain; of 1841 France Feb/21, 1944 

